Disqualified as a Villainess - Chapter 88
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#88.
The next day.
Dominic came to realize that his status meant nothing in this place.
“There are still people trapped in the Northwestern Deep Boundary. Organize a search party.”
But the soldiers refused to follow his orders.
“We don’t have the luxury to go rescue anyone. Right now, excavating the underground bunker takes priority.”
“An underground bunker? Whose orders?”
“Octavia Ludovski’s.”
“You follow the commands of a commoner over mine? Have you lost your minds? I hold the authority over this operation.”
The team member’s brow furrowed deeply as he observed the Prince still failing to grasp the situation.
“Your Highness, in circumstances like these, power doesn’t come from status—it comes from military strength and resources. Our operational supplies ran out long ago, and everyone depends entirely on her personal reserves.”
The team member added, barely suppressing his emotions.
“When everyone was suffering mental collapse and facing an endless tide of Chaos Entities, you departed with those so-called capable individuals. Since there are still trapped people, it seems your escape failed.”
His denials fell on deaf ears.
Taking every means of transportation when the Gate opened was, by any measure, abandoning people and fleeing.
“If you wish to receive supplies going forward, you’ll need to do your part as well.”
The team members regarded him with cold eyes before leaving.
Unable to wield his innate authority, and now placed in a humiliating situation, Dominic gripped his hair in frustration.
He wanted nothing more than to escape this wretched predicament as soon as possible.
Yet if he remained passive, the label of coward would follow him even after a safe return.
His thoughts turned to Chloe, and his eyes narrowed.
‘It seems Chloe’s awakening has gone wrong.’
He had expected far too much from a royal bastard daughter, not even a direct heir.
“If you continue acting this way, I’ll have no choice but to seek Octavia’s help again.”
He deliberately invoked Octavia’s name to instill a sense of urgency, but Chloe showed no sign of wavering.
“By all means. You can go ask her directly for assistance.”
Not only did he secure her a position in the Military Division to earn money, but he also introduced her to high society and even seated her as a Saint’s consort.
And this was the result of all that effort?
‘I’ve done all I could.’
I even gave up the Ludovisi Family’s support.
Had I married Octavia, I would have long since wielded enough power and capital to threaten the Dekima Crown Princess.
I might have genuinely loved her, with all that she possessed.
But now that Octavia had revealed the competence she’d been hiding, he found himself desperately regretting letting her slip away.
“It’s still not too late.”
She hadn’t married the Admiral, and besides, she was someone who viewed people as tools anyway.
He made his way directly to Octavia.
In the Lodging Courtyard, Octavia stood behind two men in an odd prostrate position, doing something to them.
“You biological tools. Keep those hips straight.”
“As promised… you will provide sufficient compensation, yes? This cat pose is far too humiliating.”
“What cat pose? You need to be more seductive for it to work smoothly. Of course, I’m talking about the electricity.”
Dark, pitch-black devices surrounded the two men.
Though the scene appeared deeply suspicious, she was actually using electrokinetic ability users to charge her drones.
She’d made them assume the cat pose to test whether shame counted as a form of dislike.
Naturally, this was hardly the atmosphere for the Prince to approach with a nostalgic expression and pour out his lingering affections.
‘I’ll have to come back another time.’
As he turned to leave, he noticed a piece of cloth jutting out from the soil of a flower bed.
“What’s that?”
He pulled at the protruding cloth.
The moment he confirmed it was a garment slipping free, he felt a dull weight.
‘A person?’
All those who had gone missing or died in accidents so far had been members of the Chloe Squadron.
Ethan Arces, Chloe’s older brother, had also been reported missing.
Sensing something ominous, Dominic looked around the darkening surroundings, then began digging through the soil.
As the form gradually revealed itself, he grimaced.
“This is…”
A corpse.
On the chest where a nameplate was attached, claw marks from a beast’s sharp talons were visible.
“Ethan Arces?”
As he read the name on the nameplate, he recalled his encounter with Octavia and the dog-shaped Chaos Entity.
The corpse of the flying Chaos Entity that had been in front of them at the time bore similar claw marks.
Despite possessing clearly threatening power, it had seemed odd that it didn’t attack but simply fled obediently.
‘Could it be a being created through forbidden synthesis of the Chaos Allied Empire?’
Given that she’d created enhanced weapons for me and the competence she’d displayed so far, it was certainly worth suspecting.
Throughout the Lucifer Empire and the Six Kingdoms, biokinetic synthesis was a taboo that could result in the highest penalty.
‘In any case, that entity has harmed people.’
Blackmail would be far easier than persuasion. A smile played at the corners of Prince Dominic’s lips as he believed he’d found her weakness.
There was a woman observing him from a distance.
It was Chloe.
She swept back her indigo hair and turned with a subtle smile.
Chloe had witnessed everything—the moment Octavia was ambushed by the airborne Chaos Entity and the instant the small puppy revealed its true nature.
***
I found myself worrying about Kelsedny Admiral.
The Admiral had barricaded himself in his room, refusing entry to anyone. He didn’t seem to be eating either.
He had skipped three consecutive meals.
‘This is truly serious. Has it gotten worse since that day?’
Even someone like me, who had lived through a cold, individualistic world, possessed some sense of responsibility and conscience.
Holding Samwol, who had returned to puppy form, I paced before the door until I spotted Matteo approaching and grabbed his arm with a question.
“Saint Matteo, what if the Admiral dies from loneliness?”
It was a genuinely human concern, transcending mere exploitation or dislike.
“To worry about another after merely a single day has passed—truly a beautiful sentiment.”
He was suggesting I was being excessive.
“The Admiral occasionally desires solitude.”
“What circumstances typically trigger such behavior?”
“Circumstances where he wishes to be alone.”
What kind of answer was that?
The Saint, having offered utterly unhelpful advice, glanced at Samwol nestled in my arms.
“Speaking of which, regarding the puppy—have you decided to keep it, Your Ladyship?”
“Yes, since the Admiral said he wasn’t the original owner. I hadn’t planned on keeping animals, but I’ve grown attached.”
Matteo seemed to know the puppy’s true identity.
The Admiral surely knew as well.
Given that he hadn’t said anything thus far, there must be no problem with us living together, right?
“That too is an accumulation of virtue. The bond between animal and human is said to be shorter than one’s heart desires.”
He wore a benevolent smile as he stroked Samwol’s head.
“I hope you find happiness in your time together.”
Having offered his blessing, he departed abruptly.
There seemed to be a subtle melancholy in his gaze—or was it merely my imagination?
In any case, I turned my attention back to the firmly closed door.
He had said small and pretty things were his preference.
And despite insisting Samwol wasn’t his dog, he had been caring for her all along.
He had even shown genuine affection—going to feed his dog during a date, so to speak.
‘Then it means he likes this adorable puppy.’
Having reached my conclusion through deductive reasoning, I crouched down and scratched at the door insistently.
Scratch, scratch…. Tap, tap….
I could feel the pitiful desperation of a puppy pleading to be let inside.
Even the most ruthlessly cold-blooded person would have no choice but to open it.
As expected, not long after, footsteps sounded and the door swung open.
I quickly scooped up Samwol and held her out toward him.
And just as I had when asking a dog’s name from its owner during a walk, I spoke in the tone of one possessed by a puppy.
“Dad, I got worried and came to see you.”
Beyond the puppy’s perked-up ears, I could see his expressionless face.
His eyes appeared distinctly dark, like a night sky where stars were obscured by heavy clouds.
“Is something the matter?”
I tilted my face slightly to meet his gaze.
The Admiral reached out and lifted Samwol into his arms.
“If I’m the father, then who is the mother?”
“It seems to be me, for now. Unofficially.”
He gazed quietly at the puppy, whose tail wagged enthusiastically, before handing her back to me.
“There is… that is….”
I hesitated for a moment, my lips moving soundlessly before I finally continued.
“If there’s anywhere that hurts, would you tell me your symptoms? I can help with most things.”
“Are you concerned?”
Given his sensitive state, I expected him to be harsh, but his tone was surprisingly gentle and deflated.
Was he putting on an act because of the puppy?
Favorability Decreased [+200]
My dislike remained unchanged.
“Yes, I’m worried sick about you.”
That’s precisely why I could speak with ease. After all, I was in a position where I couldn’t afford to lose this man.
“I was just tired….”
His voice, which had been trailing softly, grew faint.
I noticed a thin stream of crimson blood flowing from his nose and my eyes widened.
“Admiral?”
Blood dripped steadily from beneath his cupped hand, yet he spoke with an expression of perfect composure.
“Would you take the dog for a walk in my stead? I’m in no condition to move about.”
“I’m already taking full care of it. It seems your health isn’t good.”
Even in this state, he was concerned about the dog—I hadn’t realized his affection ran so deep.
He wiped his face with a handkerchief while staring at Samwol.
“There isn’t much time left.”
“What?”
“That dog is a chaotic entity.”
He held Samwol tightly and added as I stumbled backward.
“It must be returned to where it belongs.”
The chaotic medium the Two-Headed Priest had spoken of.
A Chaos Entity in the form of a butterfly, bird, angel, sphere, or animal doll.
One that harbors no hatred for humans… the master of the Gate.
‘A puppy. One that even knows of the angel’s existence.’
I drew in a sharp breath.
I had sensed it all along, but the truth I’d been avoiding crashed down upon me.
‘The condition to eliminate the Gate is the disappearance of the Gate’s master.’
“That entity has granted its name to only you.”
I stared into the Admiral’s eyes, then quickly fled the room, cradling Samwol.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Torryy
Chloe is a good villain. Life has pushed her to be like this and I don’t blame her for that. She’s playing her role splendidly.